Group Costume Ideas

Updated on October 14, 2012

Fun Group Costume Ideas

Group party costumes are a kick.

Let's face it, you make a splashier entrance as part of a group, especially when all the costumes contribute to some joke -- say, an astronaut in the custody of four lovesick aliens, or a Carol-Burnett-style cleaning lady fighting an army of "trash monsters" with her mop.

Many groups go to a costume party as the characters from a beloved TV series or movie, and that's fine, but such ideas tend to be overdone. Then, too, if you choose the hot current movie or TV series, you risk being upstaged at the party by another group that had that same idea.

Why not go for something that no one expects?

Suit Up, Geeks!

Attention, Nerd Nation -- it's time to lose the Star Trek/Star Wars/LOTR cliches. Geeks are supposed to be innovative! Here are a few costume ideas that the gang at the science lab probably hasn't seen lately:

A group all in Einstein wigs and moustaches, each one wearing a different outfit: Einstein in a trenchcoat, Einstein in a propeller beanie and striped shirt, Einstein wearing a scuba mask and fins; etc.

Godzilla, Rodan, Mothra and a squad of armed Japanese soldiers

A group of terrified website pages (made from cardboard, each one with holes cut out for faces), followed closely by a group member in a Panda suit. Website messages might include: "Help! He's coming for us!" "Why is he so mad?" or "Somebody kill it!"

Giant man-eating plants!

It's My Business

If your office is going to a costume party en masse, it's fun to choose costumes that portray (or make some sly joke about) your own profession, such as:

Smocked artist with paints and palette, accompanied by famous framed paintings such as the Mona Lisa, The Scream, Starry Night, or The Night Watch.

Mexican wrestlers vs. "La Chupacabra"

A group of models in fright wigs, slurred makeup and hideous outfits

A Blast From the Past

Plenty of craziness has happened in the distant (and not-so-distant) past. Tap it! Here are a few ideas:

Vikings arrive at the party in a bottomless cardboard canoe complete with oars,carved figurehead and square sail

Henry the Eighth arrives fighting with his (angry) wives

Former presidents burst in with "Vote for Me" signs: George Washington, Teddy Roosevelt, Abe Lincoln, John Kennedy, Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan

Robin Hood, Little John, Friar Tuck, Will Scarlet, Maid Marian, King Richard the Lion Heart, the Sheriff of Nottingham, Guy of Gisborne and Prince John fight with swords. If more female characters are needed for this theme, add Maid Marian's maid, Little John's wife and village maidens, The maidens are all fighting each other over Will Scarlet

In walks the complete staff of servants for an old-fashioned English manor house, from head butler to footmen to lady's maids to scullery maids to kitchen cook

Money Money Money Monnnayy...

Say your group wants to make a statement about working for The Man, or about your own collective relationship with money. You might decide to arrive at the party as:

A cigar-chewing tycoon surrounded by a small army of slavish attendants. The CEO will be frowning and insulting his underlings, but also throwing wads of play money to the crowd

A wallet followed by a group of brightly colored, life-sized "credit cards"

King Midas surrounded by "golden" people

Your group is wearing flesh-colored bodysuits under empty barrels. Each person's barrel has its own sign: "Will work for food", "Buddy can you spare a dime", "Laid off", or "Better times are on the way." Be sure to muss your hair and wail loudly.

Go Crazy

These are just a few possibilities. Brainstorm with the other people in your group. What point do you want to make (if any?) What resources do you have available? You may be able to make some or all of your costumes yourselves.

You might also decide to enact some kind of surprise or prank as a group, although you need to check with the host or hostess ahead of time to see if that would be okay.

Finally, be sure to bring plenty of cameras to the party. You'll want to remember the fun your group had, for a long time to come.

Comments 8 comments

mollymeadows 4 years ago from The Shire Author

Mhatter, thanks for the suggestions! There are so many possibilities. I once went to a costume party and saw a man with a black eye and a simple tee-shirt with the letter "P" written on it in black ink. He told me he was a "black-eyed P."

Proof that costumes need not be expensive to be funny. Imagine ten of them together...

Joyce, that's so cute. I understand they were bad actors in their day, but I'm afraid I'm not deep enough to appreciate their true history. I just love the look of the horned helmets and the long blonde wigs. It's always been funny to me. Thank you for your kindness!

mollymeadows 4 years ago from The Shire Author

Thank you, Hyph! I had fun thinking about them. I think I'd go to the party as the Carol Burnett cleaning lady -- I can relate! Thank you for looking in!

Hyphenbird 4 years ago from America-Broken But Still Beautiful

I have such a strong visual picture now. Thanks for a great idea.

writer20 4 years ago from Southern Nevada

Interesting read. I was so scared as a kid when fake vikings came to the beach in boat. I thought they were invading England again.

Voted up and interesting, Joyce.

mollymeadows 4 years ago from The Shire Author

Thanks, Teaches! I had fun writing it. The possibilities really are endless. Some of these would be funny at New Year's parties as well as Halloween. Thanks for dropping by!

teaches12345 4 years ago

This is a great hub and the topic is so amusing. I would love to see some of these group costumes. The wallet would be funny as today's world views it as the real "money" issue.